WA students to get GREaT experience in nursing and midwifery

Year 10 students across Western Australia will be introduced to careers in nursing and midwifery this year through WA Health's work experience placement program.

The Get Real Experience and Try (GREaT) Nursing and Midwifery program will see students get firsthand experience in metropolitan and country public hospitals.

"The work placement gives students considering a career in midwifery or nursing a fantastic opportunity to get hands on experience in a hospital setting," said GREaT program coordinator Murray Whitson.

"During their week of work experience, students are rotated through different areas of hospitals so they can see the broad spectrum of experiences that a career in nursing or midwifery can offer."

This is the second year of the GREaT program with 157 students placed in public hospitals last year, which equated to 30 weeks of work experience provided.

"The program is enormously popular amongst schools and students, which is very encouraging. Attracting health care professionals to cater for the future needs of the Western Australian population is critical," Mr Whitson said.

This year students will also be offered placement in mental health at Graylands Hospital.

"Mental health is an important area of nursing but is often not considered. Nurses will come into contact with patients with mental health issues across the spectrum of health, and in their personal lives, so this is a great opportunity to expose young people to this area of nursing."

Samantha Rudman from Yokine hadn't considered nursing as a career until she did work experience at Osborne Park Hospital.

She is now studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle.

"The work experience really helped me to see what nursing was really like and what the job was all about," she said.

"I now encourage every second person I meet to do nursing because it is so great."

Mr Whitson said there was big demand for the work experience places.

"I would urge any students interested in taking part to get their applications in as soon as possible as not everybody can be offered placement."